Grady Judd: Man wanted in homeless camp murder suspected in missing Polk County woman’s death
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - A man suspected in a murder at a homeless camp back in November is now wanted in the death of a Polk County woman who was reported missing, Sheriff Grady Judd said.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is now searching for Enrique Martinez, 26, who is suspected in 20-year-old Sierra Hernandez’s death. Hernandez was reported missing by her family more than a week ago, and her body was recovered by the sheriff's office.
Polk County deputies said they believe she was killed days before she was reported missing.
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Hernandez’s family described her as loving and compassionate. Her cousin, Christal Oswald, said she was devastated when she learned that Hernandez had been killed.
"She was a beautiful young girl with her life ahead for her, and it guts me," Oswald said.
Oswald said Hernandez didn’t deserve this, and wants to see those responsible for her death brought to justice.
"She was loved," Oswald said. "She had family. She was loved, cared about, beautiful young girl with potential and an entire life in front of her that she no longer gets to live, you know? And that's how she should be remembered. Because she was valued."
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Martinez has been on the run after deputies issued a first-degree murder warrant in the homicide of a Hispanic man at a homeless camp back on November 8, 2023, according to Judd.
The sheriff said deputies have been searching for Martinez for weeks, but he’s evaded deputies multiple times. Sheriff Judd said deputies almost caught the suspect again Sunday night, but he got ahead of them by minutes.
"Why has he been difficult to find?" Sheriff Judd said. "He's been difficult to find, because family and friends have been hiding him."
Martinez is considered the sheriff's office's prime suspect in Hernandez's death. Heartland Crime Stoppers has now increased the reward for information leading to his arrest to $10,000.
"We ask you in the community to say, 'how many more people does he have to murder before we give the sheriff's office some tips so that they can take him into custody?'" Sheriff Judd said.
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The suspect, who deputies said also goes by the nickname "KiKi" (pronounced Key-Kay), is described as being armed and dangerous. Martinez has brown eyes and black hair and was last spotted in the Inwood area of Winter Haven, PCSO officials said. He also has a tattoo on his left wrist that says "W" and one on the left side of his neck that says "Natalia."
Previous booking photo of Enrique Martinez. Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office
Martinez has a violent and long criminal history dating back to 2011. The sheriff’s office said he has been arrested on 13 felonies and 15 misdemeanors and spent five years in state prison for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and battery domestic violence.
He was released from prison in November 2022, but he was arrested for battery domestic violence and resisting arrest in April 2023. He was released on bond after that.
As for Hernandez's family, they vowed to continue pushing for answers in her death.
"I hope she knows we're going to fight for justice," Oswald said.
Sheriff Judd said during the Monday news conference that they know there are more suspects, but have not released details on them yet.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office immediately by dialing 911. Anyone wanting to remain anonymous can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers by calling 1-888-400-8477 or by visiting www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com.